Intellectual preparation: A model for rapid departmental improvement

Co-planning involves teachers working together to build individual’s subject knowledge and pedagogy. This collaborative approach not only improves individual teacher performance but also promotes consistency and quality across the department. The session will present a case study of a successful co-planning initiative, highlighting its impact on teacher development and student outcomes. I will introduce the session with an overview of co-planning and its benefits for teachers and students, then cover the case study and its context. I will then discuss how co-planning sessions can be used to deepen subject knowledge and provide examples of how teachers can share expertise and resources. Participants will engage in a mini co-planning session, focusing on a specific topic within their subject area. involving reducing variance between c lasses and standardising instructional practices by explaining how co-planning helps create consistent approaches to teaching key concepts. I will share evidence from the case study showing reduced variance in student performance and participants will l reflect on their current practices and identify areas where co-planning could reduce variance. By the end of the session, participants will: •Understand the benefits of co-planning for teacher development and student outcomes. •Be able to implement co-planning sessions to enhance subject knowledge and standardise instructional practices. •Foster a collaborative culture within their departments, promoting cohesion and shared ownership. •Reflect on and improve their current practices based on the case study and collaborative activities.